Senator Dave Kaler praises investment in education

Dave Koehler is a Democrat from Peoria and represents the 46th Senate District. He is an ordained minister and was the longtime executive director of the Peoria Area Labor Council. He previously served on the Peoria County Commission and the Peoria City Council. He has served in the Illinois State Senate since 2006 and currently serves as Deputy Majority Leader.

• State Budget: Yes.
• Revenue package that includes tax increases on sportsbooks and a child tax credit for low- and moderate-income families: Yes.
• Restrictions on carbon capture technology, including a two-year pipeline moratorium: Yes.
• Banning step therapy and curbing prior authorization in the medical industry: In favor.
• Ban anti-union “captive audience” rallies: Yes.

• Senate Bill 1960: Clarifying that low-speed electric scooters are not motor vehicles and allowing local governments to enact regulations (passed)
• Senate Bill 2921: Raise the inheritance tax threshold for family farms from $4 million to $6 million (did not pass)
• Senate Bill 3686: Companies that sell and distribute batteries will be required to develop recycling management programs by 2026 (approved)

Koehler said lawmakers “did a good job” of putting money into education, particularly early childhood and K-12 education. An additional $350 million was dedicated to an evidence-based funding formula that aims to close the funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts, bringing the total investment since its enactment in 2017 to $2 billion. There was also money for the state’s Smart Start initiative, which will add 5,000 preschool slots statewide.

“Overall, I think we’ve put money into our priorities. So, have we put as much money into them as we needed to? Probably not. But we’re going to do what we can to get through the budget year and maintain a balanced budget.”

While touting investments in K-12, Koehler said he was disappointed with a relatively flat higher education budget. The amount allocated to the state’s public universities and community colleges increased by just 2 percent. Funding for need-based scholarships through financial aid programs increased by just $10 million.

“In my district, (Illinois State) is at the bottom in terms of how we fund our state schools,” Koehler said, “so I’m really hoping this gets brought up, because even if we had an evidence-based funding model for higher education, that doesn’t raise the foundation. And that’s important.”

Koehler also said he was disappointed that a bill he introduced to raise the estate tax threshold from $4 million to $6 million did not pass.